Cricket's shortest format attracted total crowds of over a million last summer. The action gets underway on Tuesday with the Sydney derby at Spotless Stadium. We preview each team's most important players and their prospects for BBL07.

Adelaide Strikers

The Strikers have lost a wealth of talent and experience including Brad Hodge, Tim Ludeman, Ben Dunk and Kane Richardson. Travis Head takes over the captaincy and will lead a young side featuring Alex Carey, Jake Lehmann and Billy Stanlake. A lot rests on veteran Aussie paceman Peter Siddle, who has joined the Strikers from the Renegades. There is much excitement surrounding big-hitting South African Colin Ingram and teenage Afghani leg-spinner Rashid Khan. In a game where experience is crucial, the Strikers might struggle without some old heads.

Brisbane Heat

Chris Lynn was the breakout star of last summer's Big Bash, smashing 26 sixes across the tournament. But it's unclear how much of the season Lynn will play as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction. Lynn insists his body will be ready to go for the Heat's first game. With New Zealand powerhouse Brendon McCullum and Alex Ross, the Heat's batting line-up can destroy any opposition. The Heat have three leg-spinners on their roster with Pakistani pair Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah joining Aussie young gun Mitchell Swepson and paceman Mark Steketee in the bowling attack. The Heat made the semi-finals last season and are capable of repeating that effort if their batsmen fire.

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have been one of the more underwhelming teams in the Big Bash, missing the finals three seasons in a row. Australian veteran George Bailey, Dan Christian, Cameron Boyce and rising star D'arcy Short are the Hurricanes' biggest names. Short burst onto the scene last summer with a series of impressive innings. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has moved to the Hurricanes from the Renegades, meaning he is in the same squad as the man who replaced him in the Australian Test side, Tim Paine. With so many lesser lights, it's hard to see the Hurricanes making the top four.

Melbourne Stars

Melbourne's glamour team have never missed the finals but have never won the title either. England great Kevin Pietersen headlines a strong Stars squad along with big-hitter Glenn Maxwell, English all-rounder Luke Wright, Marcus Stoinis, leg-spinner Adam Zampa and a host of players on the fringe of the Australian team. The Stars have recruited two-time BBL leading run-scorer Ben Dunk, who will add depth to their batting order. A balanced team that should at least make the finals.

Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades have struggled in the shadow of their more high-profile big brother team the Melbourne Stars, and have made only one semi-finals appearance, way back in BBL02. But that should change with the squad the Renegades have assembled his season. Aaron Finch will captain a very experienced team featuring Victorian legend Brad Hodge, who returns after a stint as Adelaide Strikers captain, 46-year-old Brad Hogg, Cameron White, Tim Ludeman and West Indian Dwayne Bravo. The Renegades are spoilt for choice in the bowling department with Hogg, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Jon Holland and new recruit Kane Richardson. A well balanced team that should make the semi-finals.

Perth Scorchers

Defending champions and three-time winners, the Scorchers are by far the most successful club in Big Bash history. Their squad is littered with Western Australian stars, including Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Michael Klinger, Adam Voges and the Marsh brothers. The Scorchers have one of the strongest bowling line-ups, led by Twenty20 specialist Andrew Tye and former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. Coach Justin Langer's men will yet again be one of the teams to beat.

Sydney Sixers

The Sixers' squad is headlined by batsmen Nic Maddinson, Daniel Hughes and captain Moises Henriques. The middle order is filled with all-rounders including Sean Abbott, Johan Botha, Ben Dwarshius and Steve O'Keefe but perhaps lacks some batting depth. Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill will play at his home ground after rejoining the Sixers from the Renegades. English batsman Jason Roy is a powerful striker of the ball who could be a match-winner. Fans will get to see more of fast bowler Mickey Edwards, who has signed with the Sixers after gaining cult hero status as a substitute fielder in the SCG Test this year. If Maddinson and Hughes fire then last season's runners-up could go a long way.

Sydney Thunder

Perennial Big Bash cellar-dwellers, the Thunder will be looking to replicate their lone success when they won BBL05 and bounce back from their fourth wooden spoon last year. Andre Russell (suspended) and Eoin Morgan (unsigned) are gone but English wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan and Aussie veteran Callum Ferguson add star power to the Thunder line-up. Teenage leg-spinner Arjun Nair is one to watch. Test stars Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins will miss most games due to international duty. Thunder captain Shane Watson has been in superb form in Sydney Premier Cricket and will need to continue that form to help the Thunder push for a finals spot.